We are happy to highlight a new book with the intriguing title "Does Russia Have a Future?" It is a collection of thoughtful essays written by our colleague and RAGA associate Dr. GILBERT DOCTOROW, a brilliant US scholar and astute business leader who helped the American Committee for East-West Accord be reborn at the time when such civic initiative is crucially needed.

His answer to the provocative question is a resounding YES. Yes, Russia does have a bright and dynamic future. Russia's recent efforts to stave off the expansion of ISIL by cooperation with Syria's established government, as well as Russia's appeal for coordination with other interested powers under the aegis of the UN, show Russia's ability to survive West-administered "shock therapy" and steer its independent course to the benefit of humanity.

As it happens, Doctorow's essays complement Vladislav Krasnov's 1991 book "Russia Beyond Communism: A Chronicle of National Rebirth" which has now been translated into Russian under the title Новая Россия: от коммунизма к национальному возрождению (Novaya Rossiya: ot kommunizma k natsionalnomy vozrozhdeniyu). It was reviewed in a Russian magazine published under the auspices of the State Duma (Dima, this is only if you manage to fit it into the collage of three items).

We congratulate Gilbert Doctorow on taking upon himself the role of "devil's advocate" at a time when it is fashionable to denigrate Russia and vilify its leaders. We thank him for mentioning RAGA and Dr. VlADISLAV KRASNOV among people and organizations contributing most to friendly and normal relations between our two great nations. Moreover, we believe a bright future for Russia bodes well for a brighter future for the USA and its Western allies.

In the name of that common future RAGA expresses condolence to the Russian people on the recent loss of their brave sons in legitimate military action south of the Turkish border.>>